As a PS to this whole thing, I took Caralena to Disney on Ice last weekend. Why? Because she saw the commercial on the Disney channel and kept bugging me about it until I relented. (Since she goes to a daycare/preschool they do not have any scheduled school vacations so I felt kinda guilty and figured we would do one typical school vacation-type activity.) It was AWFUL. I mean, she liked it fine but I wouldn't say she loved it. I don't know what I expected but the production values were awful — the sound was all muffled and the whole thing (okay, with the exception of a cute and fun Hawaiian dance number inspired by Lilo and Stitch) was so incredibly stupid. The worst part was the merchandising. They charged $22 for a crappy, plastic, light-up wand that probably cost .20 to make in China. I was irate. Really, Disney?! It's not enough that I paid a ridiculous amount for these tickets but now you want $22 US dollars on top of that?! I felt so disgusting after, knowing that she would have had just as much (more?) fun if we'd invited a friend over and made Play Dough. Lesson learned.

2. Fortunately, my 5- and 7-year-olds still enjoys the usual PBS offerings. We love Fetch, Arthur, Dinosaur Train, WordGirl, etc. but as he gets older, I don't know – maybe just dvd's or he'll be addicted to worthless video games by then.

3. We do let them watch Sat. am cartoons – Sonic X, Chaotic, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – which just seems like silly violent anime, but I enjoyed me some Speed Racer when I was a wee lass.

4. As in so many areas, moderation is key. And like you and yours, we watch a lot more when sick or during really yucky weather. I remind myself I watched LOTS of tv growing up and me not too stoopid.

5. What gets to me is parents allowing tv's in children's bedrooms (not to mention computers, especially as they get older) and violence and scary images that kids are exposed to. It really pisses me off when watching a seemingly benign sporting event and a commercial for something frightening pops up out of nowhere. Sheesh!

6. Having said all that, I sound like a real stick-in-the-mud over-protector but I am really super-cool. I just wish people would keep the phrase “age-appropriate” in mind when dealing with their children and deciding what they should be allowed to see/do/watch. Oh god – don't get me started on movies.

Disney sucks ass, and I thank my lucky stars my kids never got into those creepy blonde twins or the JoBros. It's really amazing to me how bad the Disney programming is, even for the tiny tots. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse? That weird version of Winnie the Pooh? Hideous.

We've considered the Backyardigans to be members of the family for years. I keep the guest bed made in case any of them pops in.

Flo, Discovery Kids is a great suggestion. I will check it out pronto. I have many friends who only let their kids watch movies but it just doesn't seem like a realistic option for me — we often just need a little half hour diversion and I can't see telling Caralena that I am going to turn off her movie just as it's getting good! Plus, I LIKE WATCHING TV. And it doesn't seem fair to have a big TV and then to tell her that she can't watch it.

You ladies are so nice to read and reply to my blog. Thank you. :)